Vacuum cleaner and attachment therefor



oct. 2s, 1958 2,857,613

C'. E. MEYERHOEFER VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREF'OR l Filed March 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1958 v c. E.' MEYERHOEFER 2,857,613 I VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed March 22, 195s 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR [dr/1f.' BY /lrymag/fr ffm, p 014/ )YW ATTORNEYS oct. 28,*1953 c. E. MEYERHOEFER a2,857,613

VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed March 22, 1955 4 Sheets-SheetA 3 v `z.' wmlmfi 'Y l VENTOR lr/zyer/r ATTORNEYS Oct. 28, 1958 c. E. MEYERHOEFER VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 22, 1955 INVENTOR (arl Meyerr/qfer .A N A A ATTORNEYS I 43-*3 in the direction United ,States Patent O VACUUM CLEANER AND ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Brooklyn, N. Y.,

Carl E. Meyerhoefer, assignor to LeWyt Corporation, York Application March 22, 1955, Serial No. 495,969 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-328) This invention relates to an improved ,vacuum cleaner assembly and attachment therefor which may be combined in a novel manner to produce results heretofore obtainable only'by employing two or more diierent mechanisms.

The present teachings make it possible to use a vacuum cleaner as a motive force to achieve results other than cleaning by suction. Therefore, primarily a scrubbing, polishing and/ or butling apparatus in the form of an attachment to a vacuum cleaner is furnished, by means of which floors may be quickly brought to a clean and desirable condition.

A further object is that-of furnishing a structure which may be employed by an unskilled person and whichupon the completion of the desired operation-will involve a ready disconnecting of the cleaner and attachment, so that the cleaner may be employed for its primary purpose of cleaning by vacuum.

Another object is that of designing a simple mechanism which will involve only relatively few and rugged `parts capable of ready manufacture; those parts being susceptible to ready association with eachother to furnish a Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New to employ the latter.

Patented Oct. 28,31958 For a fuller disclosure of vacuum cleaner of this type, referenceU is had to my prior Patent No. 2,716,465 dated August 30, 1955 for pVacuum Cleaner Assembly. As also shown; in that patent, Va casing cover is provided at the upper 'part of the assembly by'being', for example, hingedly connected .as at 16 thereto. A catch 17, which may be released by l an actuator, is preferably disposed at a point 4opposite unitary and light-weight apparatus capable of being used v for long periods of time with freedom from all difficulties.

Reference is had to the attached sheets of drawing, illustrating practical embodiments of the invention, and in which: Y

Fig. 1 is a partly sectional side view of a vacuum cleaner assembly associated with the attachment and having its structures modified so that it will drive-the latter;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 2.-.2 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation ofthe attachment with the vacuum cleaner mounted thereon;

Fig. 5 is aview similar to Fig. 2, but showing an alternative formof mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6'in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a` fragmentary sectional side view of.a further.

f orm of the assembly;

Fig. 8 shows in plan a refined design of the attachment; and v Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken alon'g line 9-9 in thedirection of the arrows of Fig. 8. Referring primarily to Fig. V1, the numeral 10 indicates the upper casing portion of a tub-shaped vacuum cleaner which has a lower casing portion 11 of preferably re-V duced area. Journalled to the side faces ofY this latter portion are wheels 12, the lower peripheral portions of which extend below the base surface of the casing, and the diameter fof which is preferably such that they extend to havetheir upperportions at least half the overall height of the casing. "Ihese wheels normally support theassembly for rolling contact over a floor. A skid 13 may hinge,16.fV An inlet opening is `defined conveniently by a collar 1S in the forward face of the casing,`and a motor blower unit v19 is included in the assembly andy mainly within the lower casingsection 11 in order to induce the llow of airl through the opening dened by tting 18,

thence through the filtering media which are employedand so, out through discharge openings (not shown). which are preferably located in the front and r'ear faces of the casing.

Contrary to the disclosure in my earlier'patent the` shaft 20 of the motor blower unit extends materially` below that unit and terminates abovethe base-of the portiongof the shaftvrnay be:

casing.' The exposed end formed with serrations or ridges 21 to `constitute.onev

part of a selfvcentering clutch assembly. Preferablyconi of the. casing ybase `is a closurei,

nected to the inner face which normally `overlies an opening formedin that base inline with shaft 20.

' While the closure might take one of several dilerent is preferred to employ a pair of` taps orgates'.k 22`whrichV are'formed with notches or recesses 23 in their; f inner edges and are hingedly aixed to the base as at 24.

forms, it

Springs 25fare associated y.with these hinges tonormally, maintain the flaps in closed positions. Additionally, when the cleaner assembly is in of air seats these gates to close cordingly,` as shown in Fig. 3 the apsor gates normally overlap each other so as to present anelective closure AThis has been indicated in When swung upwardly 'or for the opening in the base. dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 3. inwardly, vaccess to the interior of the vacuum cleaner assembly may be had through the opening in its face.V In order not .to unduly confuse the present illustration,

a detailed showing of sealing surfaces and structures has not been resorted to. It will, however, be apparent that` any; desired-expedients might be` employed to assurelthe i provision of a seal `of greater or lesser effectiveness at .the base opening and in order this opening.

The attachmentwill involve a supporting portion rpref- Y erably in the'nature of a pan'26,qhaving ay forward dimension barely `in excess'of the diameter of casing f section 11. The forward face of the pan may be sloped;

ing contact between walls and a support or pedestal 30'may be provided toengage withcontact` element 14 or its equivalent to maintain the axis of the cleaner in a vertical position. The side the iloor adjacent were desired not` Ythe detailed structure' of ,al`

operation, `the Vpressure the base opening.Y Ac-l to minimize or completely ,z obstructtany flow of air from the casing interior through 3 edge portions of. this pan. indicated at 31,' to furnish spaces such that the lower peripheral portions of wheels 12 may be accommodated therein. rl`he length of these extensions and the depth of thelpan'vshould, be apportionedto the wheel diameter so 'thatthewacuumcleaner assembly may be placed upon the latter andwill, in effect, be thereupon incapable ofl Vlateral movement with respect to the same. Also, the depth. of. the pan should be such that the switch actuator 32 Qffthat assemblyisexposed above the lip .f the pan, body- There conveniently be afxed to the rear face of' the pan, a vcoupling, by means,V of which the entire assembly may be shifted and guided. That coupling may take theform of a socket 33, which extends upwardly and rearwardly. rl`he socket has a diameter such that it may. 'receive the section 34 of the usual wand which is customarily included as part of a vacuum cleaner assembly of. this type. A clamp 35 is pivotally mounted by Socket 33 andengases vagainst Wand Section 34 in order-'to lockothe, latter vagainst detachment. A pair of wheels 36 may extend downwardly from the rear edge of the pan, yone to each side of 4socket 33 with their peripheies well below the lower Vface of the unit 26. VvIn this manner, by bringing pressure against the upper end of the wand or handle 34lthe'entire assembly may be tilted rearwardly so as to be properly `supported upon the wheels 36, for movement over the floor. Of course, if a vsolid handle were preferred rather thanthe wand section 34, such an Velement might be readily employed.

A second' clutch element, in the'form of a socket member 37, extends vupwardly from the. partition or deck 29 and. has Va shaft portion rotatably supported thereby. The lower shaft endA of element 37 extends through the deck 2,9.and mounts below the same a pinion 38. This has been shown in both Figs. l and 2. That pinion mesheswith the teeth of a relatively large gear 39, which is secured'to a shaft alsomounting va pinion 40. The'teeth Vof the latter mesh withthe teeth of a gear 4-1. That gear is secured against movement with respect 4to a shaft 42, mounted by a bearing 43 preferably afxed to the base surface of pan 26. For example, a brush 44 may have its back secured to shaft 42 by employinga suitable couplingV 45by means of which vthat brush-'or other floor-contacting Velement may be attachedv to the shaft with minimum eifort. The diameter ofthe brush shouldV be such that it will be accommodated in a space'delined within thev area ofj the pan,v including thefbumperportions and the wheels 36., Also,`it` should not extend 'materially beyond' the projecting portions 31 which,""of'course, may be protected by extensions of the bumper. The gear train provided by elements 38 to 41.ser-ves.to reduce the drive afforded by the relatively high speed shaft to a sufficiently low number of revolutions perminutethat the brush 44, buler or any equivalent element will, move at a proper low speed. That brush orV element'should preferably have a height such" that it will extendy (without the weight .ofthe vacuum cleanerthereon); below the plane into which thelower'pe'ripheriies ofvwheels 36y project. Accordingly, a major portion of the weight of the vacuum cleaner assembly, or/felse all ofA it, will be carried by the brush or its equivalent.v

In the event that a reduction train, such as has been shown and described in Figs. 1 and 2, is not employed, then, a reduction drive involving a worm and Worm wheel'may be used. This has been Vshown particu larly-.infFigs Sand 6. In those views, the numeral 11 again indicates the lower casing section,'to which wheels 12V are: journalled. These restupon the surface of the deck on'partion l29, one in each of the extended portions 31jfof' a panl or support 26. The; motor blower unit has its.- shaft 20;driving` the clutch or driven part 37. Connectegliwith this part and carried by the unit 26 is the coupling` element` 37; The latter serves to drive a pinion are preferably extended, as i 2,857,613 p f l 46, the teeth of which mesh with a gear 47. This is coupled to a bevel gear 48, which drives a similar gear 49 attached to shaft 40. That shaft is conveniently supported upon brackets and mounts a Worm 51 of preferably low pitch.y The worm meshes with the worm wheel 52 attached to a shaft to which is connected a pinion 53. The teeth of the latter mesh with the ring gear 54. That gear corresponds to gear 41 of the earlier views. It will be apparent that a reduction drive of high value is thus provided.

In many instances, the weight of the vacuumfy cleaner assembly embracing the casing, wheels and contained mechanism will be adequate to retain that assembly against displacement with respect to the support or pan upon which it rests. However, in certain cases, it may be desired to further assure against any accidental move-A ment of the attachment with respect'to the assembly. With this thought in mind, and as especially shown in Figs. 4 and 6, a coupling locking the vacuum cleaner, against movement with respect to the attachment may be provided. This may take one of numerousv different forms. Conveniently, and asl shown in these figures,

4straps 55 may be attached, one to each of the opposite side faces of `pan 26 substantially in line with the. axis of wheels 12... To the upper ends of these straps, and by means of pivots 56, actuating levers 57 may bel connected. These levers conveniently have nger-engaging portions 58 at their outer ends. Ata point intermediate those Vends and pivots 56, the lower ends of straps 60 are attached by means of pivots 59. The

upper endsv of these straps conveniently terminate in hooked or retaining portions 61. The latter have dimensions such. that they may overlap the peripheries of wheels 12 adjacentv the upper zones of the latter. When actuating levers 57` are swung to the position shown in Fig. 4 and the left-hand side of Fig. 6, then these couplings act as clamps or securing elements. to prevent movement of the vacuum cleaner with respect. to the pan.

It will be assumed thatthe attachment is to be ernployed. The couplings encompassingassemblies 55 to 61 'will be lin open position, as in theright-hand side of Fig. 6,V

and assuming that such couplings: are employed. The vacuum cleaner will be placed Within the pan to have its wheels 12 rest within the extended portionsl 31 of the latter. With such positioning of the parts, the clutch element or socketed member 37 will passA through the opening in the base `of lower casing section 11 and receive the lower endiportion of shaft 20. The parts will' be quite accurately positioned and alignedV with respect to each other as; ay consequence of the disposition ofthe vacuum .Y cleaner within` theA pan and the restricted zone of the latter. Any misalignment will be compensated for by the clutch parts functioning as a self-centering assembly. Therefore, these clutch parts will be coupled, as in Figs. l andV 6. If a connecting structure is employed to lock the cleaner against displacement from the pan, then that struc- Y Y ture will be rendered operative, as'in Fig. 4, in which the actuating lever 5.7 has beenY shifted to its full downward position and past dead center in the manner illustrated in`V the left-hand side of Fig. 6. In any event, either due to'V that coupling or because of the weight of the assembly, one may be assured that noV accidentalA displacement will occur.

a consequenceof the wheels 36 or their equivalents which are preferably provided, an operatonby bearing down on the outer end of the handle such as the wandv 34,

will be able to s upportl theweight ofthe entire. assembly on these wheels. Therefore, by pushing or pulling action, the entire unitY may be shifted toany desired location.

Thereafter, byv releasing the pressure on the handle, theV brush 44. or other operating element willbear directly upon the floor andy substantially support the entire assem-Y bly; thel Wheels 3.6;.being at best, under these. circumstances, only in light contact orengagement with. the. i

Hoor,

paniers Now, with the flexible conductor (not shown) coupled to a suitable electrical outlet, an operator may cause the switch actuator 32 to function. This will energize the motor blower unit 19. With no hose connected to coupling 18 and, if desired, the filtering elements Within the assembly being removed, only minimum resistance to movement will be encountered on the part of this unit and insofar as operation of its fan is concerned. However, its driving force will be transmitted by shaft end 20 to the parts of the attachment.

In the form of drive shown in Figs. l and 2, the relatively high R. P. M. of shaft 20 will be translated into a relatively slow rotation of the brush 44 or any substitute element. The same will be true of the assembly as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Both assemblies will be, in effect, irreversible drives. Any tendency of the entire mechanism to move in an undesired manner over a cor and especially if only a single brush or buffer is employed, may be counteracted bythe operator exerting,

force on the handle 34. Also, by the manipulation of this handle, a rocking force with consequential greater or lesser weight is imposed upon the brush or other element. and the surface being cleaned or polished may be desirably varied. Y

When the operation has been completed, then, by a further operation of actuator 32, the unit 19 may be deenergized. Thereupon, the cleaner may be lifted clear of the pan or support. Of course, if a coupling suchV as 55 to 61 inclusive is employed, that will have been previously loosened. With the lifting of the cleaner, clutch part 37, which was served-in camming contact with the aps 22-to open the closure in the base of the cleaner, will be withdrawn. Accordingly, this closure will automatically seal. Such sealing will be enhanced in subsequent operations of the cleaner by the plenum chamber effect of pressure acting on the inner face of the closure.

The apparatus, as illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, will function in the same manner as that heretofore described. Referring to Fig. 7, the lower area of the vacuum cleaner has been illustrated which, in this instance, will not be formed in a manner such that it vsupports automatically shiftable closure elements of the type shown in Fig. 3. Rather, a relatively large opening will be provided in both the base of the main casing 11 and the adjacent surface of the inner casing housing the motorblower unit. A ange 62 may conveniently define this opening in the base surface ofthe cleaner. A sealing flange 63 may defineY the opening in the inner casingl wall. A closure member 63, indicatedn dot and dash lines preferably of the headed type, and conveniently formed of rubber, plastic or other suitable material, has a plug length vsuch that when its headis resting against flange 62, its plug will seal against the opening defined by flange 63. Thus, all air will have to be discharged in the usual manner from the inner casing section, when this closure is in position. A clutch element 64 of the dog type is affixed to the operating shaft of the driving unit 19. That element will be accommodated within the casing when closure 63 is in position. Obviously, by the use of the fingers or else any simple tool, the closure may be displaced from mounted position in order to afford access to the end of operating shaft 20.

In lieu of the pan structure heretofore generally indicated by the reference numeral 2,6, a multiple pan or mounting unit, as in Figs, 7, 8 and 9, is employed, This includes an upper receiving part, hereinafter described,

below which a receptacle 65 is disposed. The latter embraces side walls and a base having a configuration generally corresponding to the lower area of casing section 11. It is continued in the form of outer side walls 66 throughout a substantial area of its body. It is mounted upon a similar pan unit 67,`also including a deck or base portion, and presenting side walls 68, which are preferably ared downwardly and outwardly, to be contiguous with walls 66 when the assembly is completed. Below the pan unit 67, the brush 44 may normally be disposed. That brush is preferably provided with a hub portion 69 which extends upwardly from its backing plate. Suitable interlocks, as shown in Fig. 7, may be employed to maintain the casing sections of the attachment in properly related positions. In addition, fastening elements of any desired character, and which have not been shown, may be utilized in this connection. A facing and bumper structure is conveniently furnished by a strip or sheet 70 of rubber or similar material which overlies the outer faces of walls 68 and may -be suitably secured against detachment therefrom. This sheet or strip conveniently includes a flange portion 71, which is interposed between adjacent units 66 and 68. So disposed, it will function somewhat on the order of a gasket, as well as a retaining member, to minimize the transmission of noise and vibration.

Disposed above pan unit 65 is a further supporting member 72. The inner face of the latter may be con- Y toured to correspond substantially precisely to the outer Therefore, the engagement -between the latter f surfaces of casing 11 adjacent the base of the latter. A gasket 73, or bead member of rubber (synthetic or natural) is applied to the edge of unit 72. This gasket lies in contact with the upper edges of the wall assemblies 65 and 66, as well as continuations thereof. It may be furnished with a trough portion capable of accommodating the skid 13 or its equivalent extending from the lower face of casing 11. Thus, with that casing resting incontact with the surfaces ofmember 72, it will be securely retained. If, in addition, it is desired to employ straps and securing means as has been generally indicated heretofore'under the numerals 55 to 61 inclusive, such structure may be resorted to. As in Figs. 8 and 9, the side walls 66 may include relatively recessed portions 74. Thus, ledge supports are furnished, upon which the wheels 12 may directly rest. Under these circumstances, the walls 65-66 will extend into the spaces intervening those wheels and casing 11 so as to provide-especially in conjunction with gasket 73-a wedge and friction fit.

A shaft 75 is rotatably supported by the base of pan 65 and carries at its upper end a clutch element 76.k The latter is contoured to cooperate with clutch element 64. It is preferred that these elements have their driving faces slightly inclined. In this manner, a self-'centering clutch Vstructure is furnished, which assures a coupling of the elements as the cleaner is positioned upon the attachment. Of course, if, in addition to having bearing inthe base of pan 65, it were desired to provide a further support for shaft 75, this result might be achieved in a number of obvious manners.

A pinion 77 is attached to shaft 75. This pinion has teeth meshing with the teeth of a relatively large-diameter gear 78, secured to a shaft 79. The latter may have rotatable bearing in the base of pan 65, as well as the base of pan 67. It mounts a pinion 80 of relatively reduced diameter, the teeth of which mesh with gear 81, having a large diameter. The latter gear is secured to shaft 82. It follows that if shaft 20 has a relatively great speed, this reduction train or drive will assure that shaft 82 rotates at a relatively low speed. Conveniently, a detent structure 83 is provided in association with the lower end of shaft 82 and the hub-69 of the brush 44. Therefore, the latter may be shifted axially of the shaft for coupling and uncoupling purposes. It will also be understood that at least the lower end portion of shaft 82 is preferably of non-circular contour, so that relative rotation between the same and the brush or other appliance may not occur,

An apparatus such as has been shown in Figs. 7 to 9,

in Fig. 9 inV contact With` the ledge portions which may be at or recessed. So mounted, the weight of the apparatus will rest upon ledges 74 and the baseof pan 72. Adjacentv theside faces of the cleaner, walls 65l and 66, as well as the ring 73 and the adjacent edge of the upper pan unit, will extend into the spaces between the inner faces of the wheels and the casing 11. Thus, the parts will be held against accidental ldisplacement with respect to each other to avoid undue movements such as would result in noisy vibration. As the kvacuum cleaner has been lowered into position, clutch elements 64 and 76 will have interengaged to assure a positive drive from shaft to shaft"75.

The reduction train afforded by .the series of gears 77, 78, 80 and 81 assures that shaft 82 will be driven at a properly slow speed. The weight-of the entire assembly will be supported by the pair of casters 84 and the brush 44 or its equivalent. As shown especially in Fig. 7, the lower peripheral portions of the casters may extend slightly below the lower ends of theV tufts providing the brush body. In this manner, and despite rotation of the brush, there will be no apparent tendency on the part of the apparatus to shift in a circle. At the same time, the forward area o'f the brush will adequately polish or scrub the door.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment for use in connection with wheelsupported vacuum cleaners of the tub type for the purpose of cleaning and polishing floors, said attachment including in combination a horizontally disposed pan, a partition carried by said pan and upon which the vacuum cleaner is to be mounted, a floor-contacting element below said pan, a vertically extending shaft rotatably mounted by and projecting below said pan, means for coupling the lower shaft end with said element whereby the latter may be rotated in a horizontal plane and serve as a support for said pan, a reduction drive assembly connected to the upper end of said shaft and disposed below said partition, a further rotatably mounted driving shaft forming a part of said assembly and projecting above said partition, extensions forming parts of said pan to both sides of said further shaft and providing areas for receiving the wheels of the vacuum cleaner, means forming parts of said attachment to retain a vacuum cleaner when mounted on said partition against displacement therefrom and in a predetermined position with respect to said driving shaft, a wand-receiving socket connected to vsaid pan and extending upwardly therefrom, and a Wand-coupling element mounted by said socket.

2. In combination, a wheel-supported vacuum cleaner of the tub .typeand an attachment therefor, they latter comprising .a fhorizontally'disposed` pan, a partition carried by said pan andy upon which the vacuum .cleaner is detachably mounted, a floor-contacting element below said pan,-a lvertically extending shaft lrotatably mounted by and projecting Ybelow said pan, means coupling the lower shaft end with said element whereby the latter maybe rotated in a horizontal plane `and serve as a support for said pan, a reduction drive Viassembly connected to the upper -end of said shaft and disposed below said partition, a further rotatably mounted driving shaft forming a part ofV said assembly and projecting above said partition, extensions forming parts et' said pan to both sides of said further shaft andk providing areas receiving Vthe wheels ofthe vacuum cleaner, means forming parts ofsaid attachment Vto retain said vacuum cleanerV mounted on said partition Vagainst displacement therefrom and in aV predetermined position withrespect to said driving shaft, said vacuumv cleaner including a casing defining a plenum chamber, a base portion forming a part of said casing and having an opening, a motor Within said casing, a power shaft forming a part of said motor and extending within such chamber in line with the base opening thereof, `and t means for detachably coupling said power shaft tothe driving shaft of `said attachment as said vacuum cleaner is mounted upon said partition. y Y,

3. In the combination as defined in claim 2, a flap .mov-

ably carried by the base portion of said casing and4 obstructing said opening to normally maintain the plenum chamber effect within said casing, said flap being shift able bythe driving :shaft of said attachment as thev latter enters such opening, and means for normally urging said ap to a position at which it obstructs such opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,713,184 Lang May 16, 1929 1,891,175 Peterson Dec. 13, 1932 1,954,066 Buck Apr. 10, l1934, 2,027,158 Forsberg Jan. 7, 1936' 2,522,882 Lofgren Sept. 19, 1950 2,716,465 Meyerhoefer Aug. 30, 1955.

FOREIGN PATENTS 19,776 Y Netherlands Aug. 15, 1929 280,118 Great Britain Nov. 10, 1 927` 373,444 Germany Apr. 12, 1923 488,452 Great `Britain July 7, 1938 640,004 France July 4, ,192,8 1,051,930 France V. Sept.v 23, .1953 1,064,022 France Dec. 23, 19:53 

